Exhibits
This exhibition presents a personal look at the lives and conditions of Monmouth’s men, women, and children in the decades leading up to the outbreak of the Revolutionary War.
The colonies were not equipped to provide everything an 18th-century American might need or want. Typical colonial homes, even those that were rural, were filled with objects from around the world! Visit the Discovery Room gallery to learn about the goods imported from far away places such as Great Britain, Ireland, the West Indies, the Netherlands, Turkey, and India, and discover how some of these imports served as the catalyst for revolution...
The second floor of this two-floor exhibit is not handicapped-accessible. A digital tour of the upstairs galleries can be provided upon request.
Visit the historic 1752 home of William and Elizabeth Covenhoven, which was used as a makeshift headquarters by British General Sir Henry Clinton and his officers in the days before the Battle of Monmouth. Discover the choices that were available to the Revolutionary-era residents of Freehold as the British came through on their way to Sandy Hook.
Covenhoven House is open to the public Fridays from 1-4. Call-ahead appointments are available as well - email here to schedule a visit. Contact us if you would like to be a guide for this beautiful historic house museum!
Edward Taylor:
Through the Lens of a 19th-Century Photographer
Edward Taylor was a well-known figure throughout Middletown Village, though his photographs suggest that he especially cherished intimate gatherings of close-knit family and friends. His subjects also included landmarks near and dear to his heart: churches that hosted family milestones, aging homes of generations past, and the rural landscape of 19th-century Middletown Village. Handheld cameras like the Kodak, introduced in 1888, allowed photographers like Edward to balance technical skill with artistic expression. This is evident through his work, which often reveals Edward's creative flare and whimsical sense of humor.
Taylor-Butler House, 127 Kings Hwy, Middletown
Open Fri-Sun from 1-4. Please ask the guide at Marlpit Hall (small house next door) for access to the exhibit.